Egypt Shells British Ship at Gulf of Akaba; Israel Blockade Cited

The British steamer Anshun was shelled by Egyptian batteries near the entrance to the Gulf of Akaba, it was reported here today by the Times of London. The dispatch said that the Egyptian shore batteries hit the vessel but caused no casualties. The British Government is reported sending a note of protest to Cairo over the incident.

Sharply criticizing Egypt, the Times editorially attacked the Egyptian contention that it has belligerent rights in reference to the entrance to the Gulf, which leads to the Israel port of Eilat and the Jordan port of Akaba, because of its declared state of war with Israel. “According to the armistice agreements and according to the United Nations, Egypt and Israel are not at war,” the Times pointed out.

“Egypt maintains that a condition of hostilities exists, but is the first to complain if Israel takes hostile action in any way contrary to the armistice agreement. The upshot is that Egypt claims the right to take hostile action against Israel, while denying Israel’s right to reciprocate,” the Times stressed.